Social Networking and Libraries

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Image 1: [Twitter post] NY Public Library

Social Networking and Libraries
By Jessica Sparks

When it comes to social networking, libraries can benefit from putting effort into their social media campaigns. Libraries can use social media sites likes Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr, to engage with their community (and those outside the community). Whether it is sharing information about a library event, getting opinions from followers, or sharing information on their collection, social media sites are a powerful tool for public engagement. The NY Public Library has an incredibly active profile on Twitter and the image to left is one example:

Conversations can be linked through hashtags. Hashtags were created to make communities on networking sites (Twitter!). With hashtags, libraries can join in on trending topics or create their own. Many libraries don't understand how to use hashtags and many of their posts go unseen by the general public. Taking advantage of trending topics is the key to staying relevant. Using hashtags can get chats going about a particular topic with patrons or other libraries. Here are some great hashtag chats on twitter compiled by Ginny Mies in "Dive into the World of Library Hashtags" posted on TechSoup for Libraries:

• #inaljchat is a weekly chat (Mondays at 9 to 10 p.m. Eastern time) from I Need a Library Job that crowdsources tips and articles related to library job hunting 

• #alscchat is moderated by the Association for Library Service to Children on all things children librarianship! It happens the second Thursday of every month at 9 p.m. Eastern time 

• #edchat is a great way to connect with the larger world of education — from librarians to teachers to parent volunteers

One site that you wouldn't think about be useful to libraries is the site Reddit! Reddit is the center of the internet when it comes to trends. AskReddit, in particular, is full of individuals itching to be in a conversation. When Libraries need to remember is people are on networking sites because they want to connect with others. Having engaging posts that aren't just an information drop but encourage interaction is essential.

Image from Pinterest

Using hashtags is a way to get patrons excited for library events, but can also be used for reader's advisory. The #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement in Illinois is an example of how hashtags can be used for libraries. The movement started a few years ago with people from all over the country sharing on social media reasons why we need more diverse books. We Need Diverse Books has evolved to become a full-fledged non-profit, devoted to encouraging diversity not only in books, but in the publishing world in general (Rapp, 2016). In "From Hashtag's to better Reader's Advisory" Hannah Rapp says it best: "Going from the hashtag #WeNeedDiverseBooks to real action is just one of the ways we can positively impact books, publishing, and most importantly, the people in our communities that we serve" (Rapp, 2017, p. 26).

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References 

Mies, G. (2015, April 28). Dive into the world of library hashtags [Web log post]. Retrieved April 26, 2017, from http://www.techsoupforlibraries.org/blog/dive-into-the-world-of-library-hashtags

Rapp, H. (2017). From hashtags to better readers' advisory. ILA Reporter, 35(1), 25-26.

Rapp, H. (2016, May 6). #WeNeedDiverseBooks. Retrieved April 27, 2017, from http://gepl.org/2016/05/weneeddiversebooks/